Reformatting computer

technoboy SG

Hi all, I'm going to reformat my computer later. One concern though, when is the option which asks me whether I want to keep the items in the D and E drive or clear them?

Will appreciate if anyone can answer my n00by question. Thanks!

ndmmxiaomayi SG

If you want to keep your D and E drive, do not press the D button on them.

D = delete partition = everything gone.

Assuming that Windows is installed on C drive, the first partition is all you need to delete. Leave the rest alone.

technoboy SG

Actually, I plan to delete everything including my D and E drive. So when do I press the D button on them?

Thanks Mayi!

ADsolutE SG

u planning to join all 3 partitions into 1 partition?

if not just use the option to format the C: partition will do

caleb_chiang SG

Then do not have to worry and delete everything lor... There would be a part when you will had the partition management screen where you just delete all and partition your harddisk...

ndmmxiaomayi SG

Actually, I plan to delete everything including my D and E drive. So when do I press the D button on them?

Thanks Mayi!

Yes, press D on them. Use the up down arrows to select the partition, then press D. Windows will confirm with you, just answer yes.

Note that deleting all partitions will only result in one big partition left.

technoboy SG

What? You mean deleting partition means I will be left with C drive? Oh no I don't want that. Just that I want to clear everything inside the drives.

technoboy SG

Btw, how do I boot from CD? Tried serveral times but to no avail. :(

ndmmxiaomayi SG

What? You mean deleting partition means I will be left with C drive? Oh no I don't want that. Just that I want to clear everything inside the drives.

If you just want to clear everything in there... right click on the drive and select Format...

To boot from CD... you need to your BIOS and change the settings. Set the first boot device to CD/DVD drive.

technoboy SG

So do you mean I have to right click and format 3 times to clear all?

How do I go to BIOS? F8 from startup?

ndmmxiaomayi SG

So do you mean I have to right click and format 3 times to clear all?

How do I go to BIOS? F8 from startup?

Going to BIOS is dependent on computer... your computer will tell you. Hit the Pause/Break button if it's too fast for you to see.

C drive can't be format as it's in use - Windows is running.

You can format D and E drives without problems, as long as nothing from there is running.

Alucard101 SG

if you want to format all the hdd,you have to boot from a CD.

Get a bootable cd/dvd ,probably it will be on with OS in it.Then it will ask to format and format it.But the HDD will be clean and you will need an OS to run the computer.

technoboy SG

Hmmm, there's something weird.

I had already arranged the priority and set the CD-rom drive to boot first but then windows still started... Could it be because of virus?

What should I do?

ndmmxiaomayi SG

When you insert the CD, did Windows boot CD prompt you to press any key to load setup?

technoboy SG

You mean when I insert CD when I'm running windows?

Nothing came out besides a window which pops up showing what's inside the CD...

ndmmxiaomayi SG

Nope. Not when you are running Windows. It doesn't install this way. Let's do it the easy way.

1. Start your computer.

2. When the computer has started up fully, insert the Windows CD.

3. Shut down the computer.

4. Wait for at least 30 seconds before turning it on.

5. When you see the screen that asks you to press any key to load setup, just hit any key.

6. Follow all instructions. When you reach the screen to repair or install XP, select the install option.

7. Select your C drive to install. Don't select any other partitions and press D. They will be gone and recovery will be hard.

technoboy SG

Problem solved! Thanks guys

The CD reformatting method didn't work. My friend taught me to just press Alt+F10 during the startup and amazing it worked, didn't even need the recovery CD.

kenn3th SG

Problem solved! Thanks guys

The CD reformatting method didn't work. My friend taught me to just press Alt+F10 during the startup and amazing it worked, didn't even need the recovery CD.

The Alt f10 feature is normally found in computers that are from computer manufactors

technoboy SG

What does that mean?

So if I buy those computers from "Courts" then there won't be such feature?

I'm using Acer BTW.

kenn3th SG

What does that mean?

So if I buy those computers from "Courts" then there won't be such feature?

I'm using Acer BTW.

no.

Almost all of the computers from Courts have these feature.

Only those with no brands or are DIY-ed from Simlim do not have the feature